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4 Stunning Beaches Near Cancun Receive Prestigious Awards

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Isla Mujeres is known for boasting some of the Mexican Caribbean’s most spectacular coastlines, mesmerizing visitors with its white sand and turquoise waters.

And now, four of the island’s stunning beaches are set to receive the prestigious Blue Flag certification in the next few days.

Isla Mujeres Beach

This iconic international award is granted to beaches that meet 33 distinct criteria encompassing environmental awareness, cleanliness, and accessibility criteria.

While two of the beaches, Playa Norte and Playa Centro, secured the Blue Flag certification during the 2022-2023 season, this new update introduces two more to the list: Club Playa Albatros and Playa Atelier.

These additions underscore the dedicated efforts of the Municipal Government, led by Mayor Atenea Gómez Ricalde, to elevate Isla Mujeres’ tourism offerings, ensuring visitors an unparalleled beach experience.

Read on to find out what makes these beaches stand out and why they’re more than deserving of this prestigious accolade.

Beach in Isla Mujeres

Playa Atelier

Interestingly enough, one of the two newest additions to Isla Mujeres’ Blue Flag certified beaches isn’t actually on the island. Playa Atelier is located on the mainland in Costa Mujeres – which is technically part of the Isla Mujeres municipality.

As the name suggests, this beachfront belongs to the luxurious Atelier Costa Mujeres, one of the area’s top-rated adults-only all-inclusive resorts.

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Atelier Beach

Despite the area’s recent development, Costa Mujeres’ popularity is growing by the day, and its beautiful coastline is without a doubt one of the main reasons.

Albatros Beach Club

Albatros Beach Club is perhaps the best example of the Isla Mujeres municipality’s unwavering commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable beach experience for visitors.

In 2021, the beach club’s reputation was tarnished following a tragic incident in which a palapa collapsed during a particularly windy day, killing a Colombian tourist and injuring several other beachgoers.

At the time, the director of Isla Mujeres Civil Protection stated that the establishment was not in compliance with its documentation and didn’t possess a valid safety permit. 

@kiimak.travel Famoso club de playa en Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo 🇲🇽🏝 #albatrosbeachclub buena comida, playa privada, lounge beds, instalaciones de primera, todo perfecto👌🏻😎 #albatrosbeachclub #islamujeres #quintanaroo #playa #kiimak #connect ♬ sonido original – Ki’ imak Travel

Furthermore, the establishment had already been penalized in 2020 during an inspection for not having proper documentation in order since 2019

The unfortunate incident led to the beach club’s temporary closure and prompted a massive campaign by the Department of Civil Protection and Urban Development to ensure compliance with safety standards and offer reinforcement and maintenance recommendations.

The fact that Albatros Beach Club is set to receive the renowned Blue Flag certification stands as a testament to the remarkable success of this campaign.

Playa Centro

Known for its vibrant atmosphere, filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and beach clubs, Playa Centro is Isla Mujeres’ main beach and one of the most popular on the island.

Since it’s located right next to the ferry terminal, Playa Centro is practically impossible to overlook during your visit to Isla Mujeres. 

Playa Centro

Its proximity to the Playa Norte also offers the convenience of exploring these two renowned beaches in one delightful excursion.

Amidst its bustling surroundings, Playa Centro manages to avoid feeling overcrowded, ensuring that visitors can relish a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters and soak up the sun without any hassle.

Playa Norte

This iconic beach is not only one of the most spectacular coastlines in the Mexican Caribbean but it’s also recognized as one of the best in the world.

Playa Norte

This year, Playa Norte was ranked as the #1 beach in Mexico in TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice awards and earned the #23 spot in the ‘Best Beaches in the World’ category.

Moreover, a recent study revealed the most popular beaches worldwide according to social media hashtag views, positioning Playa Norte at #11 with a remarkable 18 million views.

Featuring soft, white sand and calm waters that don’t exceed the waist level for 200 meters, it’s no wonder why so many travelers are captivated by this true paradise.

Beyond being an excellent area for swimming and water sports, its proximity to Isla Mujeres’ coral reef also makes Playa Norte a popular scuba diving and snorkeling spot.

After a delightful day at the beach, you can head to one of the various excellent restaurants that offer a selection of tasty seafood, Mexican traditional cuisine, and delicious tropical drinks.

Playa Norte Isla Mujeres

There’s no doubt that Isla Mujeres’ beaches play a significant role in the island’s growing popularity, and the Blue Flag certification awarded to these beaches will unquestionably contribute to this ongoing trend.

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